Question about asthma?

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ISIL&TIFIL

ISIL&TIFIL

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Hello everyone,
My brother's cat has been diagnosed as Feline asthma and the vet has been injecting steroids to her for a while. His wife Denise and I are afraid that jazzy will become diabetic (she is one years old).
Jazzy is coughing and she started to make her stool while coughing :(
Has anyone have an experiance about asthma? What kind of medicines can we use to medicate Jazzy?

Please help us...
Thank you....
 
There is a list serve (yahoo group) for humans with asthmatic cats and a website (http://www.felineasthma.org/) that promotes the use of inhaled steroids (puffers) They are safer than injections as they are given in lower doses and they act locally rather than systemically. He may want to try to find someone who will support him in trying puffers. Hopefully the cat will adapt. Medication is given through a spacer/areochamber, simmilar to what is used with children and the elderly. Medications are a bit costly but can be ordered on line for less.
 
Here is a perfect web site for you
Fritz the brave

I had an asthmatic cat, but didn't have her long enough to do the Aerokat inhaler dosing of steroid. Inhaled steroid is better, as the steroid only goes where it is needed. This presupposes that you can get the cat to let you do it. (She passed from other problems)

While they are dealing with the steroid injections, in might be prudent for them to go to a low carb canned diet, to reduce problems with glucose.
 
Hi! My cat Merlin (avitar) has mild asthma. He gets the inhaler twice a day. I'ts easy. I call him and he comes running - he knows he will get a treat after - just like my diabetic used to.
The inhaler medicine is called flovent or flixotide-it's an inhaled steroid which is a "better" type of steroid-less likely to cause other issues like diabetes. I get it cheap(er) from 4 Corners pharmacy online-no prescription needed. In US pharmacies it's expensive. I learned a lot from the Fritz the Brave and the online yahoo group. My cat used to cough and pant. He hasn't panted in over a year and he only coughs occassionally now. I never used steroid shots or pills for him. Yes...it can cause diabetes, I would strongly advise getting inhalers instead.

Did the cat get diagnosed via a chest x-ray? Was the dx mild, moderate or severe? I can't believe the vet didn't suggest aerocat and puffers. Luckily asthma can be managed without too much vet intervention. My vet said I didn't need to treat him after a couple weeks of the inhaler! After I researched it I learned that makes no sense at all. The medicine has to build up in his system and you need to continue it. I went to 4 Corners and got my own inhalers after I educated myself. I noticed after a while that he was still coughing so I increased his morning dose to the next level and now he's better. I didn't need the vet to do this - I just ordered the inhalers after checking in with the yahoo message board and here. There are others here who have asthmatic cats too.
 
Thank you very much everyone, for helping..
I told Denise to come by and read the questions...She is going to join the board...

I hope that we can find the inhaler and the other things in our country....If not, I hope there is a site that delivers to Istanbul
 
Dear all, this is Denise from Istanbul. I just wrote a huge long message and when it was time to send it, I was logged out!!! I am at work and will write in detail in the evening. Just want to thank you all for the valuable information on feline asthma. My vet will also do more research on how to use the puffer and I will try to find the feline aerosol chamber. They don't sell it in our country. Thanks again, Greetings from Istanbul.
 
HI Denise, I had a cat with feline asthma and she was treated very successfully with the cat mask and Flovent. As someone else posted the Flovent is expensive in the US but can be bought online cheaper. I found the trick on the mask was to have Kenai in my lap face away from me. Then slip the mask over her face and puff the inhaler. The hard part is keeping the mask on long enough that she breathed in the steroid. Its just like anything else - hard at first and easier as you get the hang of it. This is a great board - glad you found it. Jan
 
Hello Jan, the chamber is kind a expensive USD70,- in the States, USD80,- in Germany (found the data on http://www.trudellmed.com/animal-health/aerokat). I first was very happy to see that there is also a shop in my city that is selling aerochambers but than it turned out that they have for humans only and not for pets. I will try to get it from Europe.
As per the dosage (see attachment page 2)...I believe that Jazzy fits into the Mild Persistent Category; which is: "Symptoms don’t affect quality of life Between “attacks” the cat eats, drinks and plays."
Last evening the vet gave her Depomedrol and Draxxin as antibiotic. That should take care for 3 weeks he said ... I hope that in the meantime we will be able to gather all the necessary items for the inhaler set.
 

Attachments

Jazzy - my kitty who had asthma has gone ahead. I may still have her inhaler mask - I will look when I get home tonight. If I do still have it - I'd be happy to mail it to you. Jan
 
Jazzy-

I just ordered my two new inhalers. I checked the countries that they ship to and Turkey isn't one of them. :YMSIGH: They say that if a country isn't on the list it's because they have problems shipping to that country or something. I'm really sorry! Maybe someone will have another idea for you.
 
Jazzy, I went through my box of kitty stuff last night and I didn't find the mask. We moved after we lost Kenai so it must have gotten thrown out. I'm sorry. Jan
 
Thanks Jan. No problem. I went on the site of Trudell Medical International. They have international distributors. I will probably order from England. Will order 2 pieces of aerokat + shipping costs...that makes 150 GBP. sth like 230USD. But my vet will split the costs with me. He will take care of the puffer etc.
 
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